Years ago, my friend told me her simple secret for creating special family memories. Swatches of material.
Whether it is the first day of school, the last day of summer, April Fool's Day, or one of the children's birthdays, her simple rule of thumb is to throw a festive swatch of material over her white table cloth. Since the kitchen table is the hub of many people's homes, a touch of decoration on the kitchen table goes a long way in creating a sense of festivity throughout the house.
So, off I went to Joann's Fabric where I found a remnant of material, on sale for $2.00. It's charcoal grey and in black letters are printed phrases such as: "Yo Ho Ho," "Ahoy Matey," "All Hands on Deck," "Treasure Trove," and "Swagger and Dagger."
Fast and cheap makes this pirate material close to the perfect solution for my upcoming party.
Sunday is National Talk Like a Pirate Day. I am intent on creating some family fun around this holiday and inviting my friends and their children to join us. But, I - like so many of you - seek to shine. If not careful, I could easily go crazy hammering, nailing, and hot glueing a set rivaling that of, Pirates of the Caribbean.
If I let myself go that route then one of two things will happen - either feelings of joy will be replaced by feelings of resentment or the event will never happen.
Neither is ok when you are hoping to shine.
Instead, the name of the game for this weekend is to keep planning simple. I will only let myself do for the party one thing each day, beginning Monday, and that can be accomplished in fifteen minutes or less.
Monday I shared 5 great reasons why you should host your own game of Pirate Bingo sometime this weekend. They are: Tool Belt #1, Tool Belt #2, Tool Belt #3, Tool Belt #4, Tool Belt #5. Each is stuffed with tools you need to shine at five fun hobbies, including art, writing, scrap booking, baking, and painting the town red. Click here to find out how you can be a winner.
Tuesday we talked simple invitations.
Wednesday we talked cupcakes and Pirate Booty (until Misty came along and quadrupled the list of ideas with what she posted in the comment section!).
Today is about decorating your table. I have a $2.00 swatch of material to spruce up my home. How about you? Join us in the Community Forum labeled, "Today's Post" and share your ideas for decorations that could be pulled together in fifteen minutes or less.
Shining off until tomorrow...